Karmella Tsepkolenko’s Concert-Drama for Piano with the Orchestra: Performance and Interpretation Aspect

Abstract

The author of the study considered the performance and interpretation aspects of the Concerto-drama for piano and orchestra (1987) by the Ukrainian composer Karmella Tsepkolenko. After analyzing the musical form of the given work, it became possible to describe the correspondence of the logic involved in the development of the musical material applied in the Concerto-drama for piano with orchestra to the literary program and scenario designed by the author. The main performance and interpretation means of reflecting the author's idea are singled out, namely: piano texture; techniques of sound production; dynamic construction of musical form; spatio-temporal organization of melodic and intonation lines, etc. The peculiarities of the piano texture, which are characterized by romantically rich complex chordal structures and virtuosic passages, were also determined. It is noted that the lyrical parts of Karmella Tsepkolenko's Concerto-drama for piano and orchestra require subtle linear polyphonic thinking from the pianist, creating a special sound color. The role of interpretative and expressive means for creating a convincing performance and artistic image is clarified. The specificity of the interpretation of five solo piano cadenzas is substantiated. The role of cadences for the manifestation of the unique individual thinking of the pianist in the process of concert and stage interpretation of the specified piano piece by Karmella Tsepkolenko is highlighted. The relationship and influence of the author's scenario development on the emotional creative space of the performer and on the formation of a convincing artistic and performing version have been established. The special role of the piano in the work of Karmella Tsepkolenko as a tool for new compositional searches and innovations is emphasized. It has been proven that the performance style of Karmella Tsepkolenko's piano music requires creativity, artistry, creative imagination, flexibility of thinking, and an emotional response to the script-plot layers of the work. Emphasis is placed on the expediency of establishing empathetic connections between the composer and the performer in the process of live implementation of the author's idea.